McDaniel’s Innovation Is Allowing For Tua’s Ascension
Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Tua Tagovailoa came to the Miami Dolphins with a moderate expectation that he was going to be a game-managing quarterback. And he was exactly that for most of his first two seasons in the NFL. Mike McDaniel, though, brought to life a different version of Tua. Under favorable coaching and personnel circumstances, Tagovailoa has shown he can be a true franchise quarterback. And the 36-34 Dolphins win over the Los Angeles Chargers made it clear.
The traditional stats were fantastic: 28/45, 466 yards, three touchdowns, one interception, and a 110.05 passer rating.
But the tape and advanced metrics go even beyond that. They show a mad scientist as a play caller and play designer, ready to establish an explosive offense that maximizes the talent of its players. They also show a fully developed quarterback who, if healthy, can be the Dolphins long-time answer.
Watch Tua Tagovailoa’s four most improbable completions from the @MiamiDolphins Week 1 win over the Chargers!m, Per @NextGenStats 🎯 #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/PplkPgV0AP
— Bobby Shouse (@B_Shousejr) September 12, 2023
Last year, the Dolphins offense started hot, too, and opposing defenses adjusted during the season. Even with Tua back and healthy, it was imperative for McDaniel to have new answers. And he did.
One of them was a very interesting out motion. Generally, coaches in the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree utilize motions from one side of the formation to the other. It’s helpful to test the defense’s ability to communicate, and also to give the quarterback more information about the coverage type.
But with so much speed of their receiving weapons, the Dolphins decided to maximize what they are able to do. This reception from Tyreek Hill is a great example: He aligns basically as an h-back and moves outside, on the same side of the formation. Even if there’s a cornerback ready to challenge him, Hill is in the backfield. This extra space and the release before the snap give Hill an advantage it’s almost impossible for any defender to catch up — it’s almost a Canadian football strategy, but without the forward motions. And it’s not like Hill needs any schematic help to get open, but why wouldn’t the coaching staff want to allow even more favorable looks for its best players?
This out-motion from Tyreek Hill is an amazing design by Mike McDaniel. Almost a CFL movement before the snap, and really hard to defend against such a fast player. pic.twitter.com/nMLw0INoUa
— Wendell Ferreira (@wendellfp) September 12, 2023
Even against a Brandon Staley defense built to avoid big plays, the Dolphins had many of them on Sunday. Tagovailoa finished Week 1 as the best quarterback in the league in total EPA and pass EPA generated. He had six big-time throws, according to PFF — a real game-managing quarterback, Daniel Jones, had seven the entire season in 2022.
“He’s as coachable of a player as I’ve ever been around in my life,” McDaniel stressed. “If you want to be a big-time quarterback on a big-time team, which I know is the way he looks at it, the cost is real.”
Tagovailoa was decisive in his reads. His average time to throw was 2.53 seconds, and his completed air yards average — yards that a pass traveled beyond the line of scrimmage before being caught — was 10.9. This is an absurd balance. In comparison, Mac Jones had a similar time to throw, 2.52, but his CAY was just 3.6. The offense was explosive and vertical, but that didn’t mean Tua had to hold the ball much longer. And by the end of the game, less than 20% of plays ended up being perfectly covered, the second-best mark in Week 1.
Tua's anticipation on these throws 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/BeFRikdHXE
— Mike Renner (@mikerenner_) September 11, 2023
All of these factors were imperative for the offensive line to succeed. Even without starting left tackle Terron Armstead, Tua wasn’t sacked at all the entire game. In the last couple of years, scheme was never a factor to shore up holes in the offensive line.
The Dolphins have a tough schedule ahead. The next three games are against the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, and Buffalo Bills, three high-end defenses. That’s why McDaniel knows the mindset has to be right.
“The players in leadership positions had their mind right for what today (Sunday) was,” McDaniel said after the win. “I thought they were in for the entirety of it, weren’t going to get too high or too low, and that’s a key component in the National Football League.”
After two mediocre seasons, there was a perception around the league that Tua Tagovailoa had a limited ceiling. But he has been able to overcome that. After leading the league in passer rating last year, mostly because of his weapons, Tua seems ready to take another step forward and create real positive value for the Dolphins offense.
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